We finally know if Chadwick Boseman's 'Black Panther' role will be recast
It’s clearly been a big week for Marvel. Not only has Marvel Studios released a slew of new release dates for The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Captain Marvel 2 and Thor: Love and Thunder, but they’ve also revealed some of the plans for Black Panther 2.
Following the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, there’s been speculation that his starring role may be recast. Now, Marvel Studios has revealed whether or not T’Challa will be portrayed by a new actor.
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Back in August, Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 43. Shortly after, speculation emerged that his role as T’Challa in Black Panther may be recast. However, over the past few months, Marvel Studios and Disney have remained quiet.
Then, last month, the companies celebrated what would’ve been Boseman’s 44th birthday with a reworked version of Black Panther‘s opening credits. The touching tribute was a reminder to all that Boseman’s legacy and portrayal in Black Panther will never be forgotten.
Now, Marvel Studios has finally revealed some of the plans in motion for Black Panther 2. During a presentation at Disney Investor Day, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed that Boseman’s role will not be recast.
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“[Boseman’s] portrayal of T’Challa the Black Panther is iconic and transcends any iteration of the character in any other medium from Marvel’s past, and it’s for that reason, that we will not recast the character,” Feige said. “However, to honor the legacy that Chad helped us build, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.”
Some theorize that Letitia Wright’s Shuri will become the new Black Panther as this storyline is played out in the comics. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. Additionally, Wright received some backlash this month after she seemingly tweeted in support of the anti-vax movement surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines.
Black Panther 2 is scheduled to be released on July 8, 2022 and will be written and directed by Ryan Coogler.
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In other MCU news, well, there’s a whole lot of other stuff going on. This week, Marvel decided to surprise its fandom with a slew of major announcements. To start, Disney+‘s WandaVision is officially arriving on Jan. 15, 2021. Fans recently got a new glimpse of the upcoming series with an official trailer.
“We are an unusual couple.” Marvel Studios’ @WandaVision, an Original Series, starts streaming Jan. 15 on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/rBIygqUGsw
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
As well, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier is officially premiering on Disney+ starting Mar. 19, 2021. The series was originally slated to air back in August. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, production didn’t resume until this fall.
Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, an Original Series, starts streaming Mar. 19 on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/Iqm73FBFXw
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
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Marvel Studios has also announced three new original series. Loki is arriving on Disney+ in May 2021 while fans can expect to see WHAT IF…? on the streaming platform sometime next summer. As well, Ms. Marvel is slated to arrive in late 2021.
“Glorious.”
Loki, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming May 2021 to #DisneyPlus. @lokiofficial pic.twitter.com/gqT7AKur2y
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
“Space. Time. Reality. It’s more than linear path.”
WHAT IF…?, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming Summer 2021 to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/P8VDm2rhXJ
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Ms. Marvel, a newer character to Marvel comics has grabbed the world’s imagination and we are excited to announce Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan.
Ms. Marvel, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming late 2021 to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/ArHe8vMCXd
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
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Production for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has officially wrapped. Fans can anticipate seeing the highly-awaited film in theaters on July 9, 2021.
Production has just wrapped for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and we are excited to share the fantastic cast bringing the film to life.#ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters July 9th, 2021. pic.twitter.com/fnmNP94nrA
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Captain Marvel 2 finally has a release date. The Nia DaCosta-directed film starring Brie Larson officially arrives in theaters on Nov. 11, 2022.
Brie Larson returns as Carol Danvers in Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel 2, directed by Nia DaCosta. Joining the cast are recently announced Ms. Marvel, Iman Vellani, and Monica Rambeau played by WandaVision’s Teyonah Parris.
Captain Marvel 2 flies into theaters Nov. 11, 2022 ? pic.twitter.com/DiYzod2EBj
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Although She-Hulk does not have a release date yet, Marvel did confirm that Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Walters and Tim Roth are appearing in the upcoming Disney+ series.
She-Hulk arrives to the MCU! Tatiana Maslany will portray Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk and Tim Roth returns as the Abomination and Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo, will appear in the series. Directed Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, She-Hulk is coming to #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/z4OlQJhrlr
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
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Additionally, Marvel has four more original series arriving in the future – Moon Knight, Secret Invasion, Ironheart and Armor Wars. Samuel L. Jackson is reprising his role as Nick Fury in the Secret Invasion series while Don Cheadle is back as War Machine for Armor Wars.
Moon Knight, an Original Series about a complex vigilante, is coming to #DisneyPlus ? pic.twitter.com/oESb9qLSJD
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn from Captain Marvel returns as the Skrull Talos in Marvel Studios’ Original Series Secret Invasion. Coming to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/AuInHMuBRW
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Coming soon to #DisneyPlus, Dominique Thorne is genius inventor Riri Williams in Ironheart, an Original Series about the creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. pic.twitter.com/VB94VyPr9e
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Don Cheadle returns as James Rhodes aka War Machine in Armor Wars, an Original Series coming to #DisneyPlus. A classic Marvel story about Tony Stark’s worst fear coming true: what happens when his tech falls into the wrong hands? pic.twitter.com/K6M0q9mcNM
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
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Guardians Of The Galaxy fans will be excited about this new announcement. In 2022, the James Gunn-directed The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special will be airing on Disney+. As well, Groot is getting its own series on the platform.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. James Gunn is back to write and direct.
The Original Special is coming to #DisneyPlus in 2022. ? ? pic.twitter.com/8JqjhPo6Cn
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Everyone’s favorite little tree, Baby Groot, will star in a series of shorts on Disney+ featuring several new and unusual characters.
I Am Groot, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/U5nfDkFKjW
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
And, finally, Marvel Studios has confirmed that Christian Bale has joined the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder. The highly-anticipated film is slated to arrive in theaters on May 6, 2022.
Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale will join the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder as the villain Gorr the God Butcher. In theaters May 6, 2022. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/fWS4UuP2oM
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Are you glad Marvel is not recasting Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther role? Which Marvel Studios project are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below.
